Special Olympics: Gold medal for Victoria’s Michael Langbridge

Victoria’s Michael Langridge trained hard in preparation for the alpine skiing event at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, that took place in Austria from March 14th – 24th. Langridge is one of 14 other BC athletes on Team Canada and was selected for the roster after winning three gold alpine skiing medals (in the super-G, slalom, and giant slalom races) at the 2016 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

Langridge won the gold medal at in the super-G event at the Special Olympics World Winter Games. The race took place today (Sunday, March 19th).

Langridge’s training included ski trips to Mount Washington and the Kimberley Alpine Resort and getting in shape through his other Special Olympics sports and activities including Club Fit. Club Fit Head Coach Anne-Marie Sutherland.

“He has shown so much dedication to his training. By also training him on Mount Washington, I was able to witness his natural ability and pure joy for skiing which I know shone through during competition."

The world event featured 3,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 1,100 coaches from 110 countries. Team Canada has the third largest team at the event and has athletes competing in six different sports: Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating.